Taronga to Musgrave Wharf

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 Hr

1.7 km One way

111 m

Moderate track

This wharf-to-wharf walk is a great way to see Sydney Harbour. The walk is very scenic, with frequent views of the harbour. A stop in Sirius Cove to have a swim, play on the swings or a picnic is a great way to make an outing of this walk.

View of Sydney Harbour from above Sirius Cove

(0km) Taronga Zoo Wharf → Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Curlew Camp Trk

340 m

9 mins

26m

-22m Moderate track

From the entrance to Taronga Zoo wharf, this walk heads down and across the cul-de-sac at the bottom of the road. The walk then follows the footpath around the building on the right to soon come to a section of boardwalk. The walk continues along boardwalked sections with a tall barbed-wire fence on the right. After a short time, the track turns left, above a small beach, then turns right and continues along the fenceline to the intersection with Camp Curlew on the left.

(0km) Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Curlew Camp Trk → Camp Curlew

120 m

2 mins

-11m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill following the 'Welcome to Curlew Camp' sign. The track quickly turns right, over a boardwalk, then turns left down more stairs. The walk then winds down the hill to the corner of a large rock, just above the water.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down towards the water and onto the wooden platform. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Camp Curlew

Camp Curlew was created in 1890 as an artists' retreat, as was popular at the time. Artists of the day would visit for long periods (although women were not permitted to stay overnight), enjoying the surrounds and painting some of Australia's most prized works. Arthur Streeton is a notable artist who stayed at the camp. The site was less than rustic, with tents to accommodate billiards and dining, and also a hired cook and youth to help with odd jobs. Camp Curlew was abandoned after the siting of Taronga Zoo in the area in 1912.

(0km) Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Curlew Camp Trk → Sirius Cove Reserve

480 m

11 mins

23m

-33m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along clear track, following the tall fence (keeping the fence to your right). The track passes over a few section of boardwalk and soon comes to a three-way intersection at the end of the long fence/wall marked with a sign pointing back to 'Curlew Camp'[3] (and a set of steps on your right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Curlew Camp' sign pointing to 'Sirius Cove'[4], keeping the water glimpse to your left. The path leads behind some house and past a two-storey scout hall on the beach below (on your left). The path continues and soon winds down to Sirius Cove Reserve.

Sirius Cove Reserve

Sirius Cove Reserve is next to the sandy beach of Little Sirius Cove, Mosman. The reserve is open and grassy, with a few picnic tables, a fenced playground and drinking fountain at the western end, and a toilet block at the eastern end. The beach has no surf and faces south to Cremorne Point. Road access is via Sirius Cove Road.

(1km) Sirius Cove Reserve → Int. Illawarra St and Curlew Camp Rd

100 m

2 mins

0m Easy track

Veer left: From the middle of the park, this walk heads across grassy clearing (keeping the water to your left) past the front of the children's playground. The walk then follows the footpath behind the playground up a series of steps to the intersection of Illawarra St and Curlew Camp Rd.

(1km) Int. Illawarra St and Curlew Camp Rd → No. 4 Curlew Camp Rd

90 m

2 mins

-3m Very easy

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill following the 'VERY SLOW' and the 'Curlew Camp Rd' signs[5] along the concrete road. The narrow road soon leads to an intersection with a track on your left marked with a 'Walking track to Curraghbeena Road' sign[6], until opposite No. 4's driveway[7].

(1km) No. 4 Curlew Camp Rd → End of Curraghbeena Rd

160 m

6 mins

30m

-10m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Walking track to Curraghbeena Road' sign[8] down the steps and along the bush track. The track soon leads up a few timber stairs cases[9][10] to then follows a footpath behind the houses[11] to come to a telegraph pole and great unfenced water view[12]. Here the walk turns left and continues along the footpath up the steps[13] to come to the end of Curraghbeena Road[14].

(1km) End of Curraghbeena Rd → South Mosman Wharf

490 m

11 mins

17m

-42m Moderate track

Turn left: From the end of Curraghbeena Rd, this walk heads along Curraghbeena Rd[15]. The road soon bends right, and heads up the hill, passing between a lookout (on your the left)[16][17] and a playground[18] (on your right) to come to Raglan St. Here the walk turns left and heads along the upper[19] Raglan St to then follow the 'Public Path' sign[20] beside the house and down the steps[21][22]. The walk continues down Raglan St past 'Herron Park'[23] (on your right) to find the large sandstone 'The Castle' building[24] on your left and the 'Curraghbeena Point Lookout'[25][26] at the top of a few steps.
Turn right: From 'Curraghbeena Point Lookout'[27], this walk walk heads downhill directly away from the front of 'The Castle'[28] following the 'To Musgrave St Ferry via Herron Walk' sign[29]. At the end of the short street the walk heads down a series of steps [30] ignoring the private property paths but turning left at intersection part way down. The steps lead down to Musgrave St and an information sign[31][32]. Here the walk turns right to find the entrance to the 'South Mosman Wharf'[33]. The walk then takes the footpath stairs, to the right of the cul-de-sac, down until arriving next to the entrance of South Musgrave Wharf. The walk heads up to South Musgrave Wharf.

Maps for the Taronga to Musgrave Wharf walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Parramatta River	1:25 000 Map Series	91303N PARRAMATTA RIVER	NSW-91303N
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Taronga to Musgrave Wharf bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Taronga to Musgrave Wharf

Altitude analysis for Taronga to Musgrave Wharf

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	1.7 km
		Time	1 Hr
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

990m of this walk has short steep hills and another 580m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (95m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 840m of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 820m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.7km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.5km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 160m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Taronga to Musgrave Wharf walk.

Taronga Zoo to Camp Curlew

930 m Return, 30 mins

This track takes you from Taronga Zoo Ferry, directly to Camp Curlew. A perfect little walk for the Impressionist wanting to recreate the attraction to Camp Curlew for painting. Little Sirius Cove is a secluded beach, worth the short sidetrip. Camp Curlew is a secluded spot on Sydney Harbour and ha

Total climbing: 61m

Moderate track

Cremorne Point to Taronga Zoo

4.2 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This delightful walk from Cremorne to Taronga Zoo enjoys stunning harbour views and a number of sites to explore along bushland and suburban tracks. Starting from Cremorne ferry wharf, there is an option for a closer look at Robertsons Point lighthouse before continuing around Cremorne Reserve into

Total climbing: 218m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo, Clifton Gardens return via Sirius Cove

6.5 km Circuit, 3 hrs 30 mins

This walk winds along the coast of Sydney Harbour with many beautiful views across to the city and of the bush surrounding the track. Bacino Bar at Clifton Gardens is worth a visit for a coffee before walking through the streets over to Sirius Cove. The walk passes Taronga Zoo, which could be added

Total climbing: 352m

Moderate track

Harbour Bridge to Taronga Zoo

9.8 km One way, 4 hrs

On this walk, you will explore much of the foreshore linking Milsons Point Station to Taronga Zoo Ferry wharf. The walk is mostly along footpaths sometimes beside roads and other times through parkland. There are a few places to grab a drink or a bight to eat, and plenty of places to stop and enjoy

Total climbing: 389m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Taronga to Musgrave Wharf walk.

Bradleys Head and Chowder Head walk

3.7 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk is a great way to explore the history of Bradleys Head whilst enjoying the views of Sydney Harbour, including the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and a majestic angophora forest. Starting from the ferry wharf below Taronga Zoo, this walk follows a clear track along the shore, visiting seve

Total climbing: 219m

Moderate track

Taronga Wharf to Chowder Bay

4.4 km One way, 2 hrs

Starting at Taronga Wharf, this walk passes many icons of Sydney, including Taronga Zoo, HMAS Sydney Mast, Chowder Bay. The walk also provides views across the water to the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Fort Denison and the city skyline. The walk has many brilliant vantage points over the harbour wit

Total climbing: 246m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head to Athol Hall

3 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

The walk around Bradleys Head is a great way to see Sydney Harbour and some interesting cultural heritage. The walk passes stunning views at Bradleys Head, to the mast of HMAS Sydney, before coming back to the old Athol Hall for afternoon tea. The entrance to Taronga Zoo is passed twice so be prepar

Total climbing: 138m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach

6.8 km One way, 3 hrs

This walk explores a great section of Sydney Harbour. The walk starts at the Taronga Zoo ferry wharf with views of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The spectacular views continue as you explore bushland and the bays along the way. The walk also explores a historic section of the harb

Total climbing: 328m

Hard track

Taronga Zoo to Chowder Bay return via Bradleys Head Rd

7 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This walk is a great way to explore Bradleys Head, enjoying it's stunning views of Sydney Harbour, the history and the surrounding bush land. The walk around to Chowder Bay passes Athol Hall, which is a nice place for a coffee and some cake before heading to the Bay for a swim and another coffee at

Total climbing: 334m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo to Manly

18.9 km One way, 8 hrs

This very long day walk has some stunning views, excellent heritage sites, a Zoo and beautiful beaches. What more could you ask for? The many sidetrips and places to stop and enjoy the views, having a coffee at the Bacino Bar or fish and chips on Balmoral Beach, will all make this walk an excellent

Total climbing: 746m

Hard track

Taronga Zoo to Spit Bridge

10.4 km One way, 5 hrs

This is a scenic and culturally rich walk with views over Sydney Harbour and many interesting heritage buildings along the way. The start at the zoo allows for a possible visit. The walk then passes the Bacino Bar on the way through the military heritage buildings. This is an excellent walk to do on

Total climbing: 410m

Hard track

Cremorne Point Circuit

2.7 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

On this walk, you will circumnavigate Cremorne Point along the harbour-side paths, winding through gardens and sections of native bushland. The extra time for the side trip to Robertsons Point Lookout is well rewarded and in the warmer months, why not bring your swimmers and enjoy a dip at Maccallum

Total climbing: 115m

Easy track

Cremorne Point to Mosman Wharf

2 km One way, 45 mins

This walk explores the foreshore tracks of Cremorne Reserve, taking in fantastic harbour views, beautiful gardens and a sidetrip to Robertsons Point lighthouse. Starting from Cremorne ferry wharf, the walk climbs to Robertsons Point and lighthouse, then meanders down past interesting houses and hist

Total climbing: 68m

Easy track

Robertsons Point Lookout

478 m Return, 15 mins

A short walk but a fun time. Catch a ferry to Cremorne Point and grab a bight to eat before climbing the steps and having a play in the kids playground. Then wander along the footpath to the lookout at the end of Cremorne Point, know as Robertsons Point. The view across Sydney Harbour is great. Ther

Total climbing: 11m

Easy track

Chowder Head

548 m Circuit, 20 mins

This loop walk is the shortest way to access the views from Chowder Head. The optional side trip leads to an informal lookout on an unfenced rock platform. A great spot to enjoy the sailing boats on Sydney Harbour. In spring, this walk is particularly spectacular with a wide range of wildflowers on

Total climbing: 36m

Moderate track

Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk

2.8 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk explores a great section of Sydney Harbour. Starting with some historic points at Bradleys Head, you can enjoy views of Sydney's Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The views will continue to delight as you explore bushland and the bays along the way. The pleasant walk ends at Clifton Gardens,

Total climbing: 161m

Moderate track